Blood Serum Markers Research Articles

Simultaneous immunoassay for the detection of two lung cancer markers using functionalized SERS nanoprobes

A quick and reproducible SERS-based immunoassay, using functionalized hollow gold nanospheres and magnetic beads, has been developed. Here, a simultaneous detection of dual cancer markers in blood serum has been achieved under a single excitation wavelength. The accuracy and sensitivity for clinical sera from five patients confirms their diagnostic feasibility.

Hepatoprotective effect of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. methanol extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in albino rats

Averrhoa bilimbi is an indigenous plant of the Averrhoaceae family, which was used traditionally for liver disorders [1]. However, there were no scientific reports available on its hepatoprotective activity. Hence, the present study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. methanol extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage in albino rats. Liver toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 at the dose of 1ml/kg with a gap of 72 hrs for 10 days. Blood serum marker enzymes like glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and bilirubin were estimated [2]. Administrations of Averrhoa bilimbi methanol extract at the doses of 250 and 500mg/kg, p.o. showed significant (p<0.01) decrease in serum GPT, GOT, ALP, and bilirubin levels as compared to negative control. The total protein level was decreased due to hepatic damage induced by CCl4 and it was found to be increased in methanol extract of Averrhoa bilimbi treated group. Treatment of rats with CCl4 led to a marked increase in lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA), which was associated with a significant reduction of the hepatic antioxidant system like reduced glutathione (GSH) [3]. These biochemical alterations resulting from CCl4 administration were significantly (p<0.01) inhibited by treatment with Averrhoa bilimbi methanol extract. The results were comparable with silymarin at the dose of 100mg/kg, p.o. The data suggest that Averrhoa bilimbi methanol extract may act as a hepatoprotective and antioxidant agent.

Biological Microchip for Simultaneous Quantitative Immunoassay of Tumor Markers in Human Serum

The biochip was constructed for simultaneous assay of total and free prostate-specific antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, cancer embryonic antigen, human chorionic gonadotropin, and neuron-specific enolase. These biochips represent an array of gel elements with covalently immobilized proteins. The major analytic characteristics of the developed method were obtained. It was shown that the results of simultaneous assay of six tumor markers in blood serum well correlated with routine measurement of each marker using enzyme immunoassay kits. This approach allowed us to reveal the hook effect of high concentrations during biochip assay, which prevents distortion of the diagnostic picture at high concentration of the analyte in the sample.

Peripheral blood serum markers for apoptosis and liver fibrosis: Are they trustworthy indicators of liver realness?

Background/Aims No reliable serum markers for liver inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis have been established yet, although a large number have been evaluated. Moreover, it is not clear if a molecule detected and quantified in peripheral vein blood is a really trustworthy marker of the liver condition. To answer to this question, we had the opportunity to study paired serum samples drawn simultaneously during haemodynamic study from the right hepatic vein and from a peripheral vein from patients with hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis. Methods The serum levels of transforming growth factor beta-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, hyaluronic acid, soluble (s)human leukocyte class I antigens, soluble FAS ligand, and stumour necrosis factor related ligand were assessed in a consecutive series of 15 patients with hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis. Results No statistically significant differences were found between hepatic vein and peripheral vein levels for the cytokines, substance or soluble molecules evaluated, excepted for shuman leukocyte class I antigens. Instead a strong correlation between hepatic vein and peripheral vein levels was present for: hepatic vein, shuman leukocyte class I antigens, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble FAS ligand and stumour necrosis factor related ligand, but not for transforming growth factor beta-1. Conclusions Our results show that peripheral vein measurements seem to reflect the liver compartment in a large majority of cases, but not for all molecules and probably for any liver diseases. Further studies on this line are warranted in particular for new molecules.

SPR-based immunosensor for the CRP detection—A new method to detect a well known protein

The c-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the significant human blood serum markers for inflammatory processes. The serum presence of this hepatic approximately 115 kDa protein of five identical subunits accompanies several diseases (e.g. CVD, inflammatory bowel diseases) and is nowadays detected by high-sensitivity ELISA assays in blood serum. To enable CRP detection in other matrices, an SPR-based (surface plasmon resonance) immunosensor for the CRP detection has been established. A linear detection range of 2-5 microg CRP per ml was found, using two different antiCRP antibodies (monoclonal, IgG) for CRP trapment and detection. Furthermore, the kinetic antibody association and dissociation constants of one antibody (antiCRP, clone C2) could be determined.

The Relationship Between Liver pathology and Color Ultrasound

目的 通过阐述彩色超声检查(门脉内径,脾厚径,脾上下径,肝左叶厚径和上下径,门静脉血流峰值,门静脉平均血流速度,门静脉血流量)、血白细胞、血小板、肝功能(血清总胆红素,总蛋白,白蛋白,球蛋白,ALT,AST,凝血酶原活动度)与肝穿刺病理活检所示肝细胞炎症分级及纤维化分期之间的关系,说明上述实验室检查在判断病情严重程度及病程方面的参考意义.方法比较225例慢性病毒性肝炎患者的肝组织病理与超声检查及肝功能等实验室检查的关系,列表分析并比较其差异.结果提示在肝脏炎症和纤维化的进展过程中,门脉内径、脾厚径和上下径、肝左叶厚度和长径逐渐增大,门静脉血流峰值、门静脉平均血流速度与肝脏炎症和纤维化程度成负相关,门静脉血流量则与炎症程度和纤维化程度无明显相关,此外凝血酶原活动度、血白蛋白、球蛋白、总胆红素、ALT、AST等则与炎症及纤维化程度均有显著相关.结论认为在肝脏炎症动态观察、预后及纤维化诊断等方面,除病理及现行的肝纤血清指标检测外,常规行彩色超声检查,具有安全无创、简便易操作、可动态观察等优点,可广泛应用于监测慢性肝炎的病情变化和进展。

Diagnostic efficiency of biological markers in blood serum on prostate cancer: A comparison of four different markers and 12 different methods

Serum-acid phosphatase as measured by nine different methods, serum prostate-specific antigen, cancer antigen CA-50, and creatine kinase BB isoenzyme have been evaluated and compared with respect to efficiency in differentiating between prostate cancer and benign hyperplasia. The patient material consisted of 92 prostate cancer patients (59 untreated, and 33 previously treated), 106 patients with benign hyperplasia and 66 patients with non-prostatic urological diseases. The cancer group was classified according to the TNM-system, and also graded according to histopathological findings. The following main conclusions were drawn. Acid phosphatase activity, when measured with continuous monitoring procedure (substrate: alpha-naphthyl phosphate), showed on the average slightly, but statistically not significant higher diagnostic efficiency than when measured with conventional two-point discontinuous monitoring method (substrate: p-nitrophenyl phosphate). There was no or only marginal differences in diagnostic efficiency between activity measurements of the total acid phosphatase and the tartrate-labile fraction, and also between activity measurements and immunological measurements (PAP-RIA and PAP-IEA). Prostate-specific antigen was found to have statistically significant higher diagnostic efficiency than acid phosphatase, the former being positive in 17 of 25 patients with prostate cancer without distant metastases, and in six of 11 patients classified as T0-2 M0. Cancer antigen CA-50 and creatine kinase BB isoenzyme appeared to be of little diagnostic value. From a cost-effective point of view, total or tartrate-labile prostatic acid phosphatase activity, as measured by continuous monitoring technique with alpha-naphthyl phosphate as substrate, is suggested suitable as a first-choice parameter both for diagnostic and monitoring purposes with respect to prostate disease. Prostate-specific antigen may give additional information, and should be considered analysed on special request.